Canada’s feedlot population declined seasonally in February but remained below February 2025 and the 2020-24 average, according to data collected by CanFax and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center.
CanFax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association, collects production data from its members in Alberta and Saskatchewan and shares the total on-feed number and the previous month’s placement data with the LMIC. The LMIC compiles the data and publishes it on its website. CanFax keeps any other data to be shared only with its members.
ON-FEED NUMBERS DOWN
The number of cattle on feed in Canada on Feb. 1 was 1.009 million head, down 24,000, or 2.32%, from 1.033 million on Jan. 1. The total also was down 24,557, or 2.49%, from 984,443 a year earlier and down 36,000, or 3.44%, from the previous five-year average of 1.045 million.
Canada’s cattle-on-feed numbers have a strong seasonal tendency to decline in a long arch that bottoms with the Sep. 1 tally. From there, the total rises rapidly to the Dec. 1 high point.
There is no reason to think Canada’s cattle-on-feed inventory will disrupt the seasonal trend, a market analyst said. Canada’s seasons are so different from summer to winter that available pasture often dictates where cattle will go at any given point in the year.
JANUARY PLACEMENTS NEAR AVERAGE
Canadian feedlots placed 123,625 head of steers and heifers on feed in January, the CanFax data showed. This was down 11,428, or 8.46%, from 135,053 a year earlier but up 1,348, or 1.10%, from the 2020-2024 average of 122,277 head.
Monthly Canadian feedlot placements typically rise from December’s rate and keep rising through March. At that point, they decline through an annual low in July, where they turn sharply higher to an October peak. After October, feedlot placements drop rapidly, nearly approximating the July low.
It’s interesting, the market analyst said, that Canada’s feedlot placements haven’t deviated appreciably from the five-year average, despite the high prices for feeder cattle in the US.
Just as with the total on-feed numbers, there is no reason to think monthly feedlot placements will deviate widely from the average, the analyst said.
US EXPECTED LOWER
The US Feb. 1 Cattle on Feed report is scheduled for release Friday at 3:00 pm ET. A survey by Reuters showed market traders and analysts expected on-feed numbers to be at 98.4% of last year, with placements at 96.5% of a year ago and marketings at 87.1% of last year.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $242.46 per cwt to $252.00, compared with last week’s range of $240.65 to $247.06 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $381.78 per cwt to $389.59, compared with $376.57 to $385.81.
The USDA choice cutout Wednesday was down $0.96 per cwt at $363.80 while select was down $0.41 at $360.63. The choice/select spread narrowed to $3.17 from $4.54 with 89 loads of fabricated product and 22 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $428.47 per cwt, and 50% beef was $143.66.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $0.98 to $1.12 a bushel over the Mar corn contract, which settled at $4.27, up $0.00 ¾.
No live cattle delivery intentions were posted Wednesday.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Tuesday was $376.02 per cwt, down $0.05. This compares with Wednesday’s Mar contract settlement of $370.57, down $0.40.